Uefa Cup 1st Round, 2nd Leg - FC Mentalist Kharkiv (1) vs. (1) Corporación Deportiva Everton de Viña del Mar - Channel 5, Thursday at 1930.

retired_navy0614 · 10-03-2007, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Everton travel to the little-known environs of Kharkov in Ukraine on a mission to save their Uefa Cup skins after a disappointing first leg at Goodison a fortnight ago in which they not only failed to win but also gave up what is a potentially crucial away goal.

The manner in which they tried to bludgeon Metalist Kharkiv into conceding a second goal with endless balls hoofed down the middle drew sharp criticism from the faithful and, just as in the aftermath of the infamous Spurs defeat earlier this year, there has been a noticeable change in the Blues' approach, as evidenced by more patient build-up in the subsequent Premiership outings against Aston Villa and Middlesbrough.

In between, a 3-0 success at Sheffield Wednesday in the League Cup was perhaps key in a noticeable uptick in confidence... that and the return of one Mikel Arteta. The Spaniard played his first game in four on Sunday after a frustrating spell on the sidelines with an ankle injury and he is set to make his first appearance in European competition since being poleaxed by Mihaita Plesan in the closing stages of the second leg against Dinamo Bucharest two years ago. While the absence of Thomas Gravesen and Tim Cahill have undoubtedly been felt deeply by a midfield lacking any real depth of quality, it is Arteta who really makes this team tick and he who will lie at the heart of the Blues' chances of getting the result they need at the Metalist Stadium. With the away goals rule, a 2-2 draw or better would be enough to send David Moyes's side through to the group stages and the paradox of a welcome glut of fixtures on the calendar.

Along with Leon Osman, the headline-maker from the first leg, Andy Johnson, is the main doubt for Thursday evening. Both players missed the victory over 'Boro with groin strains and would be surprise inclusions against Kharkiv. There has been no talk of Gravesen this week so it's probably safe to assume he's still stuck in the treatment room. Instead, the manager will likely perm two from Yakubu, Anichebe and McFadden while keeping faith in Steven Pienaar in midfield. It would be nice to see Lee Carsley brought back in and Phil Neville drafted to right back where he can provide service from the flank but Moyes may want his captain in the middle for this one. Furthermore, Hibbert did put in the kind of defensive display for which he is famous among Evertonians at the weekend and would feel hard done by if he were to be dropped.

The concern going into this away leg is the way in which Kharkiv looked better the more creative players they threw on in the second half. They certainly proved to be no slouches when it came to moving the ball around and Everton have looked a little vulnerable to being carved open in recent matches. By the same token, however, as the 5th-placed team in one o Europe's strongest leagues, the Blues should — and do — have enough quality to overcome Metalist who will be without the two defenders who saw red in the first leg.

Update: Andy Johnson and Leon Osman have both responded well to treatment and traveled with the squad to Kharkov today. They will be assessed for inclusion tomorrow. Andy van der Meyde, Thomas Gravesen and Iain Turner remained on Merseyside with long-term absentees, Tim Cahill and James Vaughan

Utterly amazing that van der Meyde has not travelled. Unless he's only going to be a home pony from now on because of his daughter.

BarryLFC · 10-03-2007, 05:58 PM

How is James McFadden doing since the drama of the Scotland - France game?

retired_mygem19 · 10-03-2007, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Zaitsev:
<BLOCKQUOTE>Originally posted by atvkwkad:
doesnt matter which Everton you send over, you're still going out

What are the training/youth facilities like for Villa on the new FM? Have your new facilities been taken into account?

I'm having an argument with SI and the Everton researcher with regard to the criminally underrated new Everton place

</BLOCKQUOTE>

Top Training Facilities and Good youth facilities + Youth Academy is our rating.

So yeah, they've been taken into account. The new place is the mutt's nuts.

retired_mygem19 · 10-03-2007, 06:02 PM

though I think the youth facilities are a little under-rated, Im just about to raise it with our researcher

retired_navy0614 · 10-03-2007, 06:35 PM

Our new youth facilities are in the same place as our training, yet we've only got good as well.

Some SI chap reckons Melwood is a better training ground than both ours and yours ffs

We both scoured the country and spent a dozen million on developing it, from what I recall.

retired_navy0614 · 10-03-2007, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by HD:
How is James McFadden doing since the drama of the Scotland - France game?

Scored twice againt Wednesday in the cup, and was rather good up front against the Smoggies - linked well with Pienaar and Arteta.

retired_navy0614 · 10-03-2007, 08:20 PM

Everton's travelling party is:

Tim Howard, Stefan Wessels, John Ruddy, Tony Hibbert, Phil Jagielka, Phil Neville, Joleon Lescott, Joseph Yobo, Alan Stubbs, Nuno Valente, Leighton Baines, Leon Osman, Mikel Arteta, Lee Carsley, Steven Pienaar, Bjarni Vidarsson, James McFadden, Andrew Johnson, Yakubu, Victor Anichebe, Lukas Jutkiewicz.

Likely/preferred team;

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre"> HowardNeville Yobo Lescott Baines Jagielka Carsley Arteta Pienaar Yakubu McFaddenSubs: Wessels, Stubbs, Valente, Hibbert, Osman, Johnson, Anichebe</pre>

retired_koenigal08 · 10-03-2007, 08:55 PM

McFadden and Yakubu partnership should see you through. Aslong as you let McFadden taken any penalty you'll be ok

retired_laticia3 · 10-03-2007, 09:09 PM

Mon the Everton injury crisis
Tbh the only chance Newcastle have of beating them at the weekend.

retired_Fit · 10-03-2007, 09:22 PM

I didnt any of the first leg, apart from Everton having a bit of a mare, missing the pens and the reds for them, how did Kharkiv look ? Any attacking prowess or chucking people behind the ball ?

Uefa Cup 1st Round, 2nd Leg - FC Mentalist Kharkiv (1) vs. (1) Corporación Deportiva Everton de Viña del Mar - Channel 5, Thursday at 1930.

Grab a beer, sit back and relax.

Uefa Cup 1st Round, 2nd Leg - FC Mentalist Kharkiv (1) vs. (1) Corporación Deportiva Everton de Viña del Mar - Channel 5, Thursday at 1930.